What to do when you are waiting at an airport....

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Since we had to wait in line for close to an hour and then talked to the representative for half an hour, we left the United check-in around noon (our plane had left at 10:45 am). So, we took a shuttle to the International area of the airport where we were told there were more eating choices and shopping. Of course, we had McDonald's to eat and then after sitting for a while, decided to buy a deck of cards and make good use of the time. Our flight was to leave around 6 pm. (Notice the "International" passengers behind Kent.)
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We finally left the international terminal area at 3:30 and shuttled over to the United terminal to wait some more.... (note to self...don't ever miss your flight!)
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All airports are not created equal...or...

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LAX SUX

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That's right, and you can quote me on that one!!! We got to the airport on the 19th after an hour and 15 minutes trying to go 15 miles! And then having to drop off the van at an off site location (instead of the terminal location that the person on the telephone told Kent we would be able to drop it off at) and wait for a bus to take us to the airport with other people. And of course our terminal was number 7 out of 7 terminals!!! And the other people got off before us and had their bags taken off by the driver...then arriving at curbside service and waiting another 10 minutes and finding out that when it was finally our turn that the 45 minute cut off had indeed cut off!!! They wouldn't take our bags and said that there was nothing we could do...we would miss our flight!!! That was at 10:13 am and our flight left at 10:45!!! So, we waited another half hour in another line and found out that the next available flight would be in the evening arriving in Chicago at midnight and a connecting flight would get us home at 10:30 the next morning! So, what did we do? Well, the next blog entry will show just that. Suffice it to say that we ate lunch in LA and breakfast the next morning in Chicago! Nothing in between...nothing was open!!!
What an end to our fine trip!!! Now, the only thing left to do is laugh and remember why we also got souvenirs from Chicago!................ :O)
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Day 17 - Part 3

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Okay, here is a pic with Kent on a ride. I don't take many pics but I was able to get close enough to get all of them in one car. Karl is on the other side of Teagan. They have video cameras set up in front of you and the sign says to scream all you want, you're on video......hey, they stole my idea!!! This happened to be our last ride.
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Day 17 - Part 2

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We took a lot of pics but I won't have enough time to get them uploaded. Here is one that described how we felt today. This was our second ride and Kent stood back and took pictures as we were coming around to the end.
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PCH Tour 2007 Day 17

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Yet, another theme park. This time it was the Cedar Point Park Knott's Berry Farm. They have the best roller coasters. The first one we went on was Ghostrider. Their old, rickety wooden one. Well, Karl and Teagan were in the front and KJ was second row. Kent and I were behind him and I was all prepared to get out the camera to videotape as we left the "gate". We went up the first incline and as I started to video, the ride just STOPPED!!! And then one of the ride attendants came up the tiny, little stairs all the way to the top...where the five of us were sitting. He came to me and said, "I'm sorry ma'am but you can't videotape. I need to take your camera. WAAAAAAAHHH!!! So, needless to say, I won't have a repeat from last year's Cedar Point ride! Oh, well, I tried!!!
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BTW, I did get my camera back after we got off of the ride.......;O)
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The Final Countdown...

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In less than 48 hours we will be in Oviedo, FL...we are still speaking to each other and smiling for pictures...Today is no exception. We had a great time at Knott's Berry Farm. Pictures to follow when we get back from dinner.

Sierra Sidewinder was the final ride for our trip to CA. It was a wonderful day. Karl and Teagan put Seaworld in second place after today's rides. Te Riptide was the favorite of the day!
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Day 16 - Part 2

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Here we are at the Catalina Casino. It is not open to the public except for tours. We did not take the tour so we weren't able to see the inside. The upper floor which is a large ballroom has a round shape and diameter of almost 200 ft ! (They say it is breathtaking.)
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We took the 50 minute tour which takes you up the mountain to see views below of the town of Avalon. Here is a picture of an area hit by the fire back in May of this year. It was the largest fire on the island in its history. Some areas of the island are still without phone service!!!
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A view of our walk past the casino where there was a band playing outdoors near the beach. These grand palms are beautiful. Everything there was beautiful!!!

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This picture was taken during our tour. The bus driver really knew his way around the island. He was really funny, too. He told us many tidbits of information including history about the Wrigley family.

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Another breathtaking view from our tour. We didnt get out of the open air bus but we sure were able to get some spectacular pics! If you look carefully, you can see our boat just about in the center of the picture.

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PCH Tour 2007 Day 16

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We were able to get some great pictures today of our trip to Catalina Island. It is a beautiful place to visit. These four pictures were taken when we were arriving at the island around 11:30 am. This is an awesome place to visit. The weather was spectacular...around 72 degrees with a very slight wind.
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I called this the Wrigley Casino because the Wrigley Family owned it but it is really called the Catalina Casino. Casino being an Italian word which means "a gathering place" - there has never been any gambling there!
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We took a smaller boat to get to the island but returning home, we took this wonderful catamaran. The ride was very smooth even thought the waves were fairly rough.

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Day 15 - Part 6

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This just in... We captured his picture before we even knew who he was!
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Day 15 - Part 5

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Okay, this was one of two studio tours we took today. Paramount Studios was the first. It was a 2 1/2 hour tour...part walking...part golf cart ride. Our guide was very informative.
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This is one of three benches used at the park in the movie Forrest Gump. One other is in the Smithsonian and the third is in the location where the movie was filmed...Savannah, GA.
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The other studio tour was NBC but we weren't able to take any pictures inside. We were lucky enough to see Jay Leno just before his show started. It starts out here at 4 pm and lasts until 5:15 pm.

The other blogs for today are all of the Daytime Emmys which we were able to get glimpses of the stars entering the Kodak Theatre. I was getting on the elevator when a group of people were getting off...Barbara Walters, Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck along with other members of their show. All decked out. Too bad I didn't know it or I would have gotten out my camera. I rushed back to the hotel room and ran to the window and saw them walking across the pool area 2 floors below us. The kids saw them, too!

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Day 15 - Part 4

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Ellen DeGeneres and Portia di Rossi arriving at the Daytime Emmy awards. Kent was able to snap a few pics of them.
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Day 15 - Part 3

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Bob Barker entering the Kodak Theatre.
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Jerry Springer who Kent said was signing autographs very readily.
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Dr. Phil accompanied by his wife. (I think.)

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What awards show is complete without the queen mother of tv herself, Ms. Betty White...85 years young!!!

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Day 15 - Part 2

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I don't know who this is. If anyone is a soap addict, you might recognize her. Kent was able to get some good shots of a few of the soap stars.
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PCH Tour 2007 Day 15

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Chandra Wilson plays Dr. Miranda Bailey on Grey's Anatomy. She was hosting the Daytime Emmy's Red Carpet Show for Soapnet. Kent got a few pics of her.
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Day 14 - Part 2

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When we left the hotel for the drive to Universal Studios, we turned onto Hollywood Blvd and saw all the commotion at the front of the Kodak theatre. Kent had gone out earlier in the morning to see what was going on near the hotel and Elizabeth Hasselbeck was doing a promo for the Star on the Walk of Fame that Barbara Walters was about to get! We couldn't see Barbara but as we drove by, there was a loud thunderous round of applause that was probably right when she pulled the cover off of the star. I was able to videotape it but there were too many people in front of our van to see or hear anything.
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PCH Tour 2007 Day 14

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We went to Universal Studios Hollywood today. It seems to be the least favorite of the parks we visited so far. Although the lines weren't long, there is a reason for that. The studio backlot tour was lame and we have several of the rides down in FL so I figure many people have seen it there and don't bother to go here! The scenery for the park along a mountain, is great. Probably the best thing about the park. Shrek 4D was pretty good and the Terminator 2 in 3D show was impressive. The Jurassic Park ride got us soaked! Not bad for cooling down in the 80 degree weather.

Even though the backlot tour wasn't so good, we did get to see Wisteria Lane and the actual place where some outdoor scenes were filmed in the movie War of the Worlds.
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Notice the cool duds KJ is sporting! He got many looks today and one of the park employees asked him where he got his belt buckle...the new one from FSAS! He was stoked!!!

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Day 13 - Part 3

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Corona, CA FSAS store excursion.........................$338
Trip to CA to get it home.....................................$12,000
The aura coming from KJ while in the store.....priceless
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Day 13 - Part 2

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After the very long day yesterday, we slept in and drove to Corona, CA for "All About KJ" day! He had a ball looking at all and only all Famous Stars and Straps clothing and other paraphernalia.
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The outside of the store.
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PCH Tour 2007 Day 13

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We took a 3 hour tour around Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Bel-Air in a stretch limo. It was a nice tour with a guy who definitely knew his way around the hills. He works as a cameraman during the day for shows like Judge Judy.
In this pic, you can see the Hollywood sign behind us.
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Day 12 - Part 5

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Well, Finding Nemo wasn't worth 5 hours but....
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We got up at 5:30 am, rushed out the door by 7 am and then tried to wake up while in line for the 3 hours between 8:15 and 11:15 am!!! This was the amount of time it took to be a part of the opening celebration of the new ride at Disneyland. (There really isn't anything worth 3 hours to wait for except the excitement of being a part of it. And the fact that we may never see this ride again.) After the ride was over, we went across to the park that we stayed at for the rest of the day. And a long, happy day it was!!!
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Day 12 - Part 4

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"All About Teagan" Day

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After riding the ferris wheel, we headed for Ariel's Grotto for Teagan's princess dinner. She was so excited and was grinning from ear to ear!!!
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This was the picture taken as we were taken to our table. Ariel, herself, comes out to take a picture with you (which you pay for, of course!!!) LOL
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Several princesses came to each table after being announced by the town cryer including Belle, Snow White, Aurora and Mary Poppins. On our table were 5 pins to commemorate the occassion. What an awesome day!!!

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Day 12 - Part 3

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No park is complete without a water ride. This one, after dinner, was a bit cooler! They still had fun.
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Happy campers!!!
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Day 12 - Part 2

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This is another one of those pictures that is worth a thousand words!!! And laughs, too!!! It isn't often that you catch Karl with a grin like this without a pose for the camera. This was truly spontaneous!

This ferris wheel was a bit different. There were stationary cars and others that moved within a circular path while the wheel was in motion - similar to a rollercoaster rolling down and up - only, within a small space. You had to be on this to understand it. (Look at the picture of the day, and you can see the cars that are stationary on the outer wheel and the others that go around in a circle that appear on the top and right, nearer to the center. They are going around each oval as the entire ferris wheel goes around.) There was a 45 minute wait. I wish they had one of these in FL. It would be packed all the time.
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PCH Tour 2007 Day 12

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The picture of the day was for the next destination. The sister park to Disneyland...California Adventure. This reminded us of MGM Studios but also had a Boardwalk similar to the one in Ocean City, NJ. You can see the big ferris wheel in the background.

And I did bring my jacket which I put around my waist for the daytime hours - I needed it at night again. The temp was about 80, with the sun, but back down into the 60's after dark. We arrived just before 8 am and stayed at Downtown Disney for the fireworks at 10 pm.

The park is set up so closely that when you get off of the tram, you can walk to either park. They are directly across from one another. And Downtown Disney is along the outskirts of California Adventure. There isn't nearly as much space here in CA.
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Day 11 - Part 2

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The first ride we rode on was the "It's a Small World" attraction which I loved when I came here at 8 and 10 yrs. old. The building is so much more impressive than the Magic Kingdom and when the sun hits on the gold trim, it is so bright that you need sun glasses! Every hour the clock strikes the hour and all the little dolls come out and spin around on a path from the front of the clock (which opens) to the sides. They are dressed in their costumes (that you see in each "room" when you are on the ride inside).

You get on the ride outside and the entire ride is at least 3 minutes longer than WDW. Our wait was maybe 5-7 minutes outdoors but with 67 degree weather. It is worth seeing if you come to CA.
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Here is a view of the attraction sign. You can see a small portion of it on the far right in the first picture.
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Okay, "It's a Small World" is much bigger and better in CA than in FL but the castle at Disneyland, well, as Kimmy would say,"Not so much!!!"
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A back view...too small for even your average princess.

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Of course, what vacation would be complete without scheduling your park day on the first day of a new ride?!!! The park was packed on this day. But, we refrained from standing in the 5 hour line to see the refurbished "20,000 Leaues Under the Sea" ride which is now the "Finding Nemo" submarine ride.

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PCH Tour 2007 Day 11

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The picture for today is the first Disney Park which opened in 1955...before some of us were even born!!! ;O)

Once again, we started the day off with jackets on. It warmed up to mid 70's by the midafternoon and back down to low 60's after dark. Another great day for outdoor vacationing.
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PCH Tour 2007 Day 10

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Today was all about catching up. We left San Diego and drove about half way to LA...maybe an hour before we stopped to do the dirty deed....laundry!!! UGH!!! A must when you are traveling for 19 days. Plus, we needed our jeans clean for the cooler nights that weren't expected.

After settling into the hotel room....the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel...we drove out to the PCH once again to take in the breathtaking views of Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica and Topanga Beach. The homes along the shoreline and above us along the mountain ridges were spectacular! They had to be 10,000 sq ft homes and up...with multi-million dollar price tags to go with them!!! Wow! We were impressed. In the picture, you might notice that everyone was sporting the Famous shirts from Travis Barker's clothing company. (KJ's favorite!) You can't see mine but I am wearing the "Family" one. (Click on the word "Family", then click on the word "Store" when you get to the web site, scroll down about half way...right column...there is a girl's baby t with the word "Family" on it. See it? That's like mine!) We were going to take KJ to their store but it was Sunday and they are closed. Bummer for him but we will get him there before we leave!!! He has been patiently waiting for the moment when he steps foot in his idol's place of business!!!

Dinner was at Marie Callender's restaurant. Tastes even beter than her tv dinners!!! THe chicken pot pie was scrumptious. Plus, we bought some pieces of pie to eat back at the hotel. Karl and Teagan had a decadent chocolate covered strawberry pie....yummy!

Tomorrow is the opening of the new Finding Nemo ride at Disneyland, our scheduled destination. We may be in line all day, who knows?!!!
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PCH Tour 2007 Day 9

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Day 9 was Seaworld of San Diego. We were there all day...and into the night. We left at 10:30 pm and had to get up the next day to move on to the next hotel. The day was wonderful. The weather was in the high 60's...I think it might have even hit 71 or 72 degrees.

The shows are set up like the ones in FL except for the fact that there are no covered venues for the whale, dolphin or sea lion shows. The sun isn't as hot but can still burn you. I guess they don't have nearly as much sudden rains as we have in the south.

We watched the two night shows called "Shamu Rocks" and "Sea Lions Tonight" and saw Riptide on our way out. All were very creatively done. Those otters steal the show, though!!!

We left San Diego with great memories to share when we get back home.
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